Hope Harbor

  Yesterday many were out hunting for bargains hoping to buy something for themselves or purchase that perfect gift for someone on their Christmas gift list. The day after Thanksgiving traditionally marks the start of the Christmas season. Retailers call the day “Black Friday” presumably in the hope that they will prosper on this busy shopping day.   I found myself feeling just a bit blue on this black Friday so I decided to search Netflix for a movie that just might lift my mood and get me into the “Holiday spirit” I browsed for a while skipping over Santa films and other silly flicks. I came upon the title The Heart of Christmas and I felt drawn to it.     The Heart of Christmas is a movie based on the true story of little Dax Locke and his battle with Leukemia. It is also about how one woman’s encounter with this family carrying for their precious child, transforms her faith and her attitude about h...

I appreciated a recent Facebook post by a dear friend aboui black Friday: 'Black Friday' is certainly the right name for it. What if we renamed the day something less threatening and spent it making gifts for people on our lists or thinking about what our friends and family REALLY need? My special friend's comment prompted me to ponder.  It's funny but for the longest tome I was puzzled as to why the day after Thanksgiving starting the Christmas season would ever be referred to by such a gloomy name. I guess the reason retailers call it that is their hope that they would make profits and their budget would be be in the back rather than the red. But it is rather "dark" isn't it thst that is the focus. Anyway, I like the idea of making heartfelt gifts rather than the commercialization. We could start a movement. Rather than Black Friday, Blessing Friday. Instead of the stress of fighting crowds and battling for bargains, seek to identify or creat...

Yesterday I posted about coming home from the hospital and the joy it is to be back in my very own house. The happiness was made even sweeter by the kindness and generosity of my talented friends who did an "extreme makeover" of my bedroom. I am so pleased with how it turned out, and of course very grateful for all of their labor. My words would be inadequate to describe how lovely it is and so insufficient to express my gratitude. As has been said, a picture is worth a thousand words. I now have some photos to share of my remodeled bedroom: New carpet, nightstand and curtains. Soothing new wall color      New dresser and mirror   I had this bookcase, but it seems to fit even better in the rennovated space. Long mirror is new too. New quilt and pillows. And that is my SureHands lift that gets me in and out of bed.     It is so pleasant and refreshing to have my new comfortable bedroom. As I am filled with thankfulness ...

  Many of you know that I have been away from home for a month. I had kidney surgeries on October 2 nd and 3 rd . I was discharged from the hospital and then spent a few weeks in rehabilitation to recover strength. I finally came home last week.   It is nice to be home. I am more comfortable and functional in my own environment. And it is good to be closer to many of my dear friends.   As you can imagine, I am also delighted to be reunited with my cat Bridget and of course my beloved canine companion Tanner! I must admit I was a bit nervous about reconnecting with Tanner because I was not entirely certain he would remember me. Then there was the worry that if he did recall, would he be miffed that I had “abandoned” him for so long. I am happy to report that those fears were unfounded. On the morning I was coming home, Tanner was brought to the Rehabilitation Institute so we could travel back to my house together. I was very eager to see him. As ...

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For some reason, in recent days the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" has been echoing in my heart. The thought ocurred to me that it holds a precious reminder that along life's journey we are given precious companions. I am also stirred to remember that we are promised that God will always be with us. I know some friends who have been enduring some storms in life lately. I admire them for their perseverence. I am also grateful for their willingness to be kind and helpful even in the midst of their own difficulties. I thought you might enjoy this video from GodTube: http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=GZDDLNNX May God bless you today as you "walk on with hope in your heart!"

Proverbs 11:24-25 The Message (MSG) 24 The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller. 25 The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.   These verses were quoted today on my daily calender dedicated to the theme of HOPE. It seems that there is a promise that when we bless others we can have the hope that we will receive a blessing.   I am reninded of a stately elder radio Bible teacher who would always close his program by saying: "Walk with the King today, and be a blessing!"

This is the quote on my calendar for today: I avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward.       - Charlotte Bronti

As the first month of the new year draws swiftly to a close, I wanted to take the opportunity to reflect on the refreshing hope of "newness". In faith we can experience regeneration and become new creatures. (2Corinthians 5:16-19) One true promise in which I find much comfort is that the mercies of our faithful God are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:20-21) A new commandment Jesus gave is to love one another. (John 13:34) We can look forward to a new heaven and a new earth. (2Peter3:13) Here is a link to an encouraging song entitled All Things New http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_Q3NrB_eHM May all our days be joyful and new.

Be on the lookout for mercies. The more we look for them, the more of them we will see.  Blessings brighten when we count them.

There is nothing but God's grace. We walk upon it, we breathe it, we live and die by it; it makes the nails and axles the universe.         Robert Louis Stevenson For in Him we live and move and have our being.          Acts 17:28 KJV

Today is my beloved dog Tanner's birthday. It's a nice time to reflect on how special he is, and how grateful I am to have him as an important part of my life. It's also a good excuse to "brag" about him and share some favorite pictures: This is when we first met. I can hardly believe it has been three years already! Tanner won my heart right away  He can be quite silly! Tanner loves to play... But he does his job when I need him - a very talented dog indeed! He closes the door                                                            Tanner turns on and off lights And we have even had the opportunity to teach children  about service dogs. Tanner is excellent at many th...

Today I found a message from a friend which she posted on my Facebook wall. It stated simply: "I miss the doses of hope." I regret to have disappointed her or anyone else who may find the inspirational quotes from my calendar to be helpful. I am also pleased to know that there are those who find the blog posts encouraging. So... in honor of my Facebook (and real life) friend, and with hopes that it will be a blessing, following are many quotes on the theme of hope taken from my daily calendar: If you had no winter the spring would not be so pleasant. If we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.                         Keith Bradstreet The three grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love and something to hope for.                ...

Today phrases of a song have been echoing in my mind. With the help of a friend, I came to realize that it is a hymn composed by Fanny Crosby entitled To God Be The Glory . Regrettably, I often lack sufficient appreciation and gratitude for all that God has done for me. He has indeed done great things. Most notably, our redemption from sin has been purchased by the precious blood of Jesus. The lyrics written by Fanny Crosby help us to get in touch with what has been done on our behalf. She reminds us that salvation is available to “all who believe. We must remember that our pardon is not because of anything we have earned, but because of the work our Savior has done. Therefore, so very appropriate is the proclamation: To God Be The Glory Below I have posted the lyrics of this hymn as well as a history concerning its’ origin. At the end of this blog post, I have included links to 2 versions of this hymn as well as a link to the song My Tribute which has a similar theme. The realiz...

Today this is the entry on my HOPE calendar: January 8 The very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live within that hope. Barbara Kingsolver That certainly is a profound statement. What matters in life is to identify what it is that we hope for and to order our lives accordingly. For many of us, it isn't easy to identufu what we hope for. Perhaps because of disappointments, we find it difficult to dare to dream. We wonder what the future might hold and whether what we long for could actually come to pass. It might be even more difficult to live in such a way as to honor our hope. However, it is vital that we remember that we have a good and kind Heavenly Father who intends only for our welfare. Twila Paris' song Sing Me A Lullaby conveys the soothing message that we can rest in God's care. Lyrics to Sing Me A Lullaby: All I see is that I don't see what's ahead of me , I'm afraid my life will nev...

I did not post yesterday, so today I'll share 2 quotes from my HOPE calendar: January 6 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB) January 7 Always be in a state of expectancy. and see that you leave room for God to come as He likes.

Today's quote from my HOPE calendar: January 5 May your troubles in the New Year be as short-lived as your resolutions. I must confess I am a bit ambivalent about this one. Sadly it is true that most of us give up on our good intentions after only a short time -so if our troubles could be brief too that's a nice sentiment. Wouldn't it be good if we would be faithful to our commitments and when we do have troubles, we continue to peacefully trust.

Today's quote from my HOPE calendar: When you are lonely, I wish you love, When you are down I wish you joy, When you are troubled I wish you peace, When things are complicated I wish you simple beauty, When things are chaotic, I wish you inner silence, When things seem empty, I wish you hope.

I have a calendar entitled 365 Days of Hope. (It's one of those perpetual flip calendars with a daily quote on the theme of Hope.) It ocurred to me at the beginning of this new year that since my blog is named Hope Harbor, it would be appropriate to post a daily dose of hope taken from that calendar. (Some friends may remember that previously I had sent regular emails with doses of hope.) Since I did not get started on day one or even the second day, today I will include 3 entries: January 1 God of the years that lie behind us, Lord of the years that stretch before, Weaver of all the ties that bind us, Keeper and King of the open door... Hold us close in Your tender keeping, O Maker of all New Years! January 2 We do not how this is true - where would faith be if we did? - but we do know that all things that happen are full of shining seed. Light is sown for us - not darkness. January 3 Life is like an exciting book, and every year starts a new chapter. I hope to con...

Happy New Year greetings from Tanner, and also Bridget (and me too)! Happy New Year ! C hristmas 2011 may already be in the past, but I am absolutely gleeful with excited anticipation about what’s ahead in 2012!                                       This is a more dignified pose … pensively pondering the future (or perhaps wondering why it is winter and still no snow.) Greetings from Bridget too! (Did you catch the tricky wave with her hind paw?) Well... I guess there really can be peace on earth.